Mayor Karen Bass meets with Trump at the White House to secure funding for wildfire relief
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Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass met with President Donald Trump at the White House on Wednesday to seek funding for wildfire relief, marking a rare moment of cooperation after months of conflict.
Bass shared a photo on X showing her and Los Angeles County Supervisor Kathryn Barger meeting with Trump and senior administration officials in the Oval Office.
Bass and Barger said the meeting included “good discussion” about Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) funding and rebuilding efforts following the Palisades and Eaton fires last year.
“This afternoon we met with President Trump and administration officials to talk about the families who lost everything,” they said in a joint statement. “We had a great conversation about FEMA and other rebuilding funds and the support of the President to continue to join us in pressuring the insurance companies to pay what they owe – and the big banks to step up to ease the financial stress on LA families.”
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Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass met with President Donald Trump at the White House to push for wildfire recovery funding. (LA manager Kathryn Barger via X)
“Our duty is to fight for our communities,” they added. “When it comes to this recovery, our federal partners are critical, and we are grateful for the President’s support.”
The meeting comes after disagreements between California leaders and the Trump administration over wildfire recovery funding and the federal government’s role in rebuilding efforts.
The fire burned more than 37,700 acres — larger than Disneyland, Knott’s Berry Farm and Universal Studios combined — and destroyed more than 16,200 buildings. The fires have caused tens of billions of dollars in damage, and rebuilding efforts continue as residents face insurance claims and rising costs.
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Los Angeles officials have gone to Washington to seek federal aid to rebuild after the devastating wildfires. (Salwan Georges/Bloomberg via Getty Images; Patrick T Fallon/AFP via Getty Images)
FEMA announced more than three billion dollars in aid last June, and Gov. Gavin Newsom of California later sought $33.9 billion in additional federal funding, according to the Los Angeles Times.
Recently, Newsom criticized Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem for the delay in disbursing more than $500 million in FEMA grants associated with wildfire recovery.
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California Gov. Gavin Newsom has requested federal funding to support wildfire recovery efforts in Los Angeles. (Tayfun Coskun/Anadolu)
Bass, who has clashed with the Trump administration in recent months, including over immigration protests in Los Angeles, received criticism from some online following the meeting.
Reality TV host Spencer Pratt, who is running for mayor, mocked Bass on social media, writing “MAGA KAREN” in response to an Oval Office photo and accusing her of aligning with Trump before the election.
He added, “Karen Bass sold her soul to Trump in a last ditch effort before the election LMAO.”
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Fox News Digital has reached out to the White House and Bass’ office for comment.
Fox News Digital’s Michael Dorgan contributed to this report.
